Electrical switch



H. STUEBNER,

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

No. 543,409. 7 Patented Ju ly 23, 1395.

['76.] ill FIG. 4 r16. 6

WITNESSES mum/r01 close and open a double set of contacts.

UNTTTD TATES PATENT Games.

7 HENRY STUEBNER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 543,409, dated July 23, 1895.

Application filed January 19, 1895. Serial No. 535,457. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LHENRY STUEBNER, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ElectricalSwitches, of which the following isa specification.

My invention is more particularly a double push-button switch to be used in systems of electric lighting and general distribution. It is designed for making and breaking the current in a double-pole system, or where main and distribution circuits are employed to It may, however, be used in a single-pole switch for closing and opening a single set of contactsand generally for making and breaking any circuit.

The specific object of the invention is to produce a quick-acting switch'of simple, compact, and economical construction and to overcome arcing and burning, which results sometimes from the construction or improper use of switches.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side View of the mechanism with the circuits closed, the casing being broken away for the purpose of illustration. Fig. 2 is a view of the face-plate. Fig. 3 is a View of the side opposite that shown in Fig. l with the circuits opened, the casing being broken away for the purpose of illustration. Fig. 4 is a sectional view in the direction of the arrow on the line A A of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a sectional view in the direction of the arrow on the line A'A of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a side view of the push-rod and cross-bar carrying the bridges. Fig. 7 is a back View of the bearing-block. Fig. 8 is a side view of the short push-rod.

The casing 1, of hard rubber or other insulating material, is preferably made in a solid piece with a recess to receive the mechanism, which when inserted is inclosed by the face 2, having screw-holes 63 for securing the plate l to the bearing-block 5, 61 for securing it to the casing, and for securing it over the opening which receives the casing.

Openings 62 and 64 permit the operation of the push-buttons on the .ends of the push-rods 3 and 4, the latter moving in bearings and 71 in the block5. The movements of these rods are limited by the pins 6 and 7 integral end engages the notch 17 or bears against one,

of the surfaces'lS, 19, or 20 of the rod 3. This action of the catch is effected by means of the coiled spring 29, seated in the recess 26 of the bearing-block and bearing outward against the projection 25 of the arm '24.

A cross-bar 11 of insulating material is secured on the end of the push-rod 3, and conducting pins or bridges 12 and 12 extend throughthe. ends of the cross-bar, and when the mechanism is in the position shown in Fig. 1 close the circuits. In this position current from the main or supply wire 40 will pass through .the corresponding binding-plug 30, the contact-clip 53, the bridge 12, the clip 52, the second binding-plug, and the wire 41 through the distribution system, returningby the wire 42 and its binding-plug to the clip 51, thence through the bridge 12, the clip 50, the

corresponding binding-plug, and the returnwhich are held in place-by thebinding-screws' v32, the plugs also holding the clips in place by a screw or other suitable engagement.

. In the position of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3, the end 23 of the catch lies in the notch 13 of the rod 4, thus holding the rod, while the opposite end of the catch bears against the surface 20 at the foot of the incline 19 or the rod 3, this rod being held in position by the spring 27, one end of which engages the pin 7 while the other end is held by the pin 6. When pressure is applied to the button on the rod 3 the rod moves in,'tightening the coil of the spring 27 about the hub 10, while the incline or wedge surface 19 rocks the catch 21 until the junction of the incline and the surface 18 is reached. At this point the end 23 of the catch clears the notch 13, and the accumulated tension of the spring 27 instantly throws the short rod 4: outward, and the resistance of the spring having been withdrawn from the pin '7 the rod 3 flies in and is held by the engagement of the catch with the notch 17, the parts taking the position shown in Fig. 1.

When the current is to be out out, the button of the rod 4 is pressed in, but the rod 3 and the bridges 12 and 12 will not move until the incline 15 has rocked the catch 21 un- .til it clears the notch 17, when the rod 3 is thrown outward by the tension of the spring 27 breaking contact instantly.

If, as sometimes happens, the rod 4 is held in while pressure is applied to the rod 3, the latter will move in until its movement has coiled the spring 27 tillit binds upon the hub 10. The inward movement is checked at this point before partial contact is made, the spring being readily regulated to check the inward movement at the point desired. It will be seen that the contact at the beginning of making and the end of breaking will be a single point, the tangent point of the bridges and clips. This construction reduces flashing.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that minor changes may be made in the mechanism Without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the specific details shown and described.

, Having described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a mechanical movement, two reciprocating push rods, a block provided with seats for the said push rods and having a hub, in combination with a spring coiled about the said hub and having its ends in direct engagement with the push rods, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a mechanical movement, in combination, two reciprocating push rods,'means for holding each of the rods until the other has moved a predetermined distance, a spring coiled about a fixed hub and having its ends in engagement with the push rods, and means for releasing each of the rods when the other has moved a predetermined distance, substantially as shown and described.

3. In an electric switch, in combination, two

reciprocating push rods, a catch which directly engages and holds each until the other has moved a predetermined distance, means for withdrawing the catch from each when the other has moved a predertermined distance, a conducting bridge and a pair of contact clips, substantially as shown and described.

4. In an electric switch, a reciprocating push rod andcross-bar rigidly secured thereto carrying one or more conducting bridges, in combination with one or more sets of contact clips, a catch for holding the bridge or bridges in contact with the clips, a spring for effecting the break of contact, and a second reciprocating rod for actuating the said catch and spring, substantially as shown and described.

5. In an electric switch, two reciprocating push rods each having a projecting pin extending therethrough; a block having a hub, bearings for the said rods, and slots to limit the movements of the said pins and rods; in combination with a spring coiled about the said hub and having its ends in engagement with the said pins, substantially as shown and described.

6. In an electric switch, two reciprocating push rods each having a projecting pin extending therethrough; a block having a hub, bearings for the said rods, and slots to limit the movements of the said pins and rods; in combination with a spring coiled about the said hub and having its ends in engagement with the said pins; and a catch for holding each rod until the other has moved a predetermined distance, substantially as shown and described.

7. In an electric switch, two reciprocating push rods each having a transverse projection, a notch, and an incline; a block having a hub, bearings for the said rods, and slots to limit the movements of said rods; in combination with a spring coiled about the said hub and having its ends in engagement with the said rods; and a spring actuated catch for engaging the notch of each rod until withdrawn by the incline on the other, substan- 

